epidemiology of thyroid cancer in jordan from 1996 to 2008

background : the incidence of thyroid cancer has varied from 2 per 100,000 in europe to 21 per 100,000 in the hawaiian chinese population and is 2-3 fold more common in females. middle east cancer consortium figures from 1996-2001 have recorded different age standardized incidence rates that ranged from 2 per 100,000 in egypt to 7.5 per 100,000 among israeli jews. in jordan the age standardized incidence rate of thyroid cancer was 3 per 100,000 during that period. this study aimed to define the incidence of thyroid cancer in jordan and to explore the epidemiological char- acteristics of patients and tumors. methods : this was a descriptive epidemiological study that utilized data reported to the jordan cancer registry during 1996-2008. results : the incidence rate in jordan varied during the period from 1996 to 2008; however the recorded rate (2.6 per 100,000) in 1996 and 2008 was similar. the incidence rate was higher among jordanian females. age specific incidence rate and age standardized incidence rate were parallel during the study period with no peaks. the most common morphological type of thyroid cancer in jordan was papillary carcinoma (76%). the average annual incidence during the study period was highest (3.3 per 100,000) in amman and (2.2 per 100,000) in jarash governorates. conclusion : the results of our study are consistent with international studies. the incidence of thyroid cancer in jordan is not high when compared with other countries. the high incidence of thyroid cancer in amman and jarash governorates in comparison to the incidence in other governorates needs further assessment.